Arts and Entertainment

Music

Chicago a cappella concert 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, North Central College, Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Performance of group’s new Christmas CD with “Holidays World Tour,” concert of seasonal repertoire from around the planet. $35 preferred seating, $28 general admission seating; $22 seniors and students age 23 and under. For tickets, call (773) 755-1628, www.chicagoacappella.org.

“The Nutcracker” 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Guest performers are Larissa Ponomarenko from the Boston Ballet and international guest artist, Alexander Kozadayev. $29.50 adults, $23.50 children under 12. Children under 2 are free. For tickets, call (630) 896-6666, www.theparamounttheatre.com.

“Holiday Magic” concert The Tower Chorale, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, Hinsdale Union Church, 137 S. Garfield St. Features a variety of sacred and secular holiday music, including “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Special guests include the Highland Middle School Show Choir. $15 adults, $12 seniors and students. Tickets available at the door.

Youth Symphony concert Youth Symphony of DuPage, 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, North Central College, Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. Special guest artist is Grace Yang on violin. Free admission. Donations will be accepted. For more information, visit www.ysdp.org.

Philharmonic concert “Happy Holidays to All!” Fox Valley Philharmonic, 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, East Aurora High School, Hawks Auditorium, 1003 Center St. $18 adults, $13 seniors and students. For tickets, call (800) 838-3006.

Christmas concert “Joy to World!” 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, Aurora University, Institute for Collaboration, Crimi Auditorium, 407 S. Calumet Ave. The Aurora University Chorale, Women’s Ensemble and the Music by the Lake Singers and Festival Orchestra will perform. Free. Reservations required by calling (630) 844-4924.

Violin ensemble concert 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, Morton Arboretum, Interstate 88 and Route 53, Lisle. Callisto Ensemble will perform. $28. Arboretum members get discounts. For tickets, call (630) 725-2066, www.mortonarb.org.

Open mic 7 p.m. Sundays, Starbucks Coffee, 1001 W. 75th St., Woodridge. Free.

Holiday concert “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” Sweet Adelines chorus, Choral-Aires Chorus and the Brotherhood of Harmony Chorus, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, Addison Trail High School, 213 N. Lombard Road. $18 adults, $15 seniors, children and groups. Tickets available at the door or in advance by contacting Connie Harr at ch1234@att.com.

Marshall Vente Duo 5 to 11 p.m. Mondays, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 244 S. Main St., Naperville. (630) 305-0230, www.sullivansteakhouse.com.

Jim Guter music Duos, 7 to 11 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; Trio, 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Timpano Martini Bar and Chophouse, 22 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. (630) 753-0985.

Live club music Dueling Pianos, 8:30 p.m. Thursdays; Michael Heaton, Fridays; DJ Vizza, 9:30 p.m. Saturdays, Club Mamalu, 10 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville. (630) 416-3310.

Stomp concert Friday to Sunday, Nov. 28 to 30, Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Performance times are 8:30 p.m. Friday; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Stomp is an eight-member percussion group that uses unconventional instruments, such as wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans and hubcaps. Tickets are $47.50, $37.50 and $32.50. Saturday 8 p.m. concert tickets are $49.50, $39.50 and $34.50. For tickets, call (630) 896-6666, www.theparamounttheatre.com.

Chorus seeks new members The Choral-Aires, an award-winning Sweet Adelines Chorus, invites local women who like to sing, to attend a series of guest nights to prepare for the group’s Dec. 13 Christmas show, “Let There be Peace on Earth,” presented with the Brotherhood of Harmony Chorus. Guest nights are held from 7 to 10 p.m. each Monday, through Dec. 8, at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, 367 Spring Road. Community members are invited to join the chorus during its practice. For information, call Jane Toftey at (630) 665-8387, www.choral-aires.org.

Art

Photography exhibit "The Power of Music: Photographic Portraits of Americans and their Musical Instruments, 1860-1915," through Dec. 14, Naper Settlement, Heritage Gallery, 523 S. Webster St. Photographer is musician and historian Mark Gardner. www.napersettlement.museum.

Spanish photo exhibit “The Lure of Language: A Personal Portrait of Mexico, Spain and Costa Rica,” through Dec. 23, Aurora University, Schingoethe Center for Native American Cultures at Dunham Hall, 1400 Marseillaise Place, Aurora. Features photographer Denise Hatcher. (630) 844-7843.

“Root and Shadow” exhibit Through Jan. 2, Aurora University, Dunham Hall, Schingoethe Gallery, 1400 Marseillaise Place. Features Christian Arrecis, Myongbeom Kim and Kim Strom. Reception Nov. 11 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. For more informtion, call (630) 844-7843.

“Sacred Ecology” exhibit Through Dec. 19, North Central College, The Gallery of Oesterle Library, 320 E. School St., Naperville. Features watercolor paintings by local artist, Nancy Reid.

theater

“My Three Angels” 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through Dec. 6, Riverfront Playhouse, 11-13 S. Water St. Mall, Aurora. $15 adults, $12 seniors and students. For tickets, call (630) 897-9496, www.riverfrontplayhouse.com.

“A Christmas Carol” 10 a.m. Nov.  28 to 30, Dec. 1 to 4, 6, 9 to 12, and 15 to 20; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17, Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. All ages. Dinner or breakfast buffet offered before performances on Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 10, 17 and 20. Show only tickets are $9. For tickets, call (630) 530-0111.

Nature events

“Going on a Gnome Hunt” 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Feb. 28, Morton Arboretum, Children’s Garden, Interstate 88 and Route 53, Lisle. Children can search for gnomes hiding among the trees. Free, drop-in activity. (630) 725-2066, www.mortonarb.org.

“The Holiday Railroad” 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 28 to Jan. 4, Morton Arboretum, Visitor’s Center, Interstate 88 and Route 53, Lisle. View multi-level model garden railroad that winds through a holiday wonderland display. (630) 725-2066, www.mortonarb.org.

“Cool Kids Nature Hike” 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Nov. 28 to February,  Morton Arboretum, Children’s Garden, Interstate 88 and Route 53, Lisle. All ages take a 20-minute hike through Children’s Garden. Refreshments served after hike. Additional hike at 12:30 p.m. on weekends. Free, drop-in activity. (630) 725-2066, www.mortonarb.org.

“Tree Treats” 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, Morton Arboretum, Children’s Garden, Interstate 88 and Route 53, Lisle. Decorate trees naturally using items that winter animals can eat. Free, drop-in activity. (630) 725-2066, www.mortonarb.org.

Santa’s Secret Workshop 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Grades kindergarten to 5. Learn about holiday traditions, make gifts and write letter to Santa. Refreshments served. $25 per child; $24 for Naperville Heritage Society Sustaining Members. Register at (630) 420-6010.

Nature workday Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 6, Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, north side of 83rd St., one-half mile west of Book Road, Naperville. All ages, under 14 with an adult. For waiver requirements, call (630) 933-7681.

Breakfast with Mrs. Claus 8 to 10 a.m. Saturdays, Dec. 6 and 13, Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Ages 2 to 8 with adult; up to three children per adult. Continental breakfast, activities, songs, photo opportunities. $15 per child; $14 for Naperville Heritage Society Sustaining Members. Register at (630) 420-6010.

Victorian holiday traditions program 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 6, Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Tour of Martin Mitchell Mansion, tea and sweets. Ages 18 and up. $30. Register at (630) 420-6010.

“History Speaks” lecture 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Author Rochelle Pennington will talk about her book, “The Historic Christmas Tree Ship.” Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. $16; $14 for Naperville Heritage Society Sustaining Members. Register at (630) 420-6010.

Miscellaneous

Weekly themed storytimes 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 47 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville.

Make a snowman class Naperville Park District, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, Craft Room 205, 305 W. Jackson Ave. Ages 3 to 12; ages 3 to 5 with adult. Stuff and dress a snowman doll. $37 residents, $56 non-residents. Register at (630) 848-5000, www.napervilleparks.org.

“Junior Elves” workshop Naperville Park District, 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, Classroom 205, 305 W. Jackson Ave. Ages 3 to 5 with adult. Make items to give as presents or to decorate tree. $14 residents, $21 non-residents. Register at (630) 848-5000, www.napervilleparks.org.

“Parents’ Night Out” Naperville Park District, 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, Cowlishaw School gym, 1212 Sanctuary Lane, Naperville. Ages 4 to 10 do crafts, games, pizza and a video while parents have night out. $16 residents, $24 non-residents. Register at (630) 848-5000, www.napervilleparks.org.

“Daddy and Me Sound Activated Holiday Puppies” class Naperville Park District, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, Craft Room 205, 305 W. Jackson Ave. Ages 3 to 12, with adult. Stuff and dress a sound activated puppy. $37 residents, $56 non-residents. Register at (630) 848-5000, www.napervilleparks.org.

Dancing in Naperville Swing lessons, 7 p.m. Wednesdays; Salsa lessons, 8 p.m. Thursdays, Frankie’s Blue Room, 16 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville. (630) 416-4898.

Bar trivia Myles Above Productions Inc., 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Spats Bar, 28331 Dodge St. Warrenville. Comedy show and interactive trivia questions. Prizes awarded. (630) 728-3813.

“Paint the Primary Way” 9:30 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville. Ages 2 and 3. Paint with brushes, fingers and other tools. $12 member/child partner; $14 nonmember/child partner. Register at (630) 637-8000.

Breakfast Club openings Lewis University invites community residents age 55 and older to join its Breakfast Club at the Student Recreation and Fitness Center, Route 53, Romeoville. Participants are able to utilize the center’s facilities and socialize with others. Membership is $40 every three months or $150 annually. For more information or to join the club, call Jill at (815) 836-5277.

Clubs

Lisle Lions Club 7:30 p.m. every first Monday, Meadows Center, 5801 Westview Lane, Lisle. Dec. 1 is annual meeting of Lisle Lions Dollars for Scholars organization. Open to the public. (630) 971-0976, lislelions1949@aol.com.

Naperville Newcomers and Neighors Club Welcome coffee, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1, Naperville Municipal Center, lower level. Children are welcome. Call Sue at (630) 904-5629.

Woodridge Rotary Club Noon Tuesdays, Seven Bridges Golf Club, Route 53, Woodridge. Call John Carey, (630) 960-5417, www.woodridgerotary.org.

Woodland Aero Modelers 7:30 p.m. every first and third Tuesday, Downers Grove VFW Century Post, 5101 Belmont Road, Downers Grove. (630) 852-5831, www.woodlandaeromodelers.org.

Woodridge Junior Women’s Club 6:30 p.m. social, 7 p.m. meeting every first Tuesday, Village IV Clubhouse, 6955 Woodridge Drive, Woodridge. Contact Andrea Mitre, (630) 852-2052.

Woodridge Lions Club 7 p.m. every first Tuesday, Suparossa Restaurant, 6301 Purchase Drive, Woodridge. www.woodridgelions.org.

Home and community education DuPage County Association, 10:30 a.m. every first Tuesday, Meadows Center, 5801 Westview Lane, Lisle. Call Carolyn, (630) 964-6584.

DuPage Professional Women’s Network 11:15 a.m. every first and third Tuesday, City Club, 1163 E. Ogden Ave., Naperville. Call Christie, (630) 336-3773.

Woodridge Junior Woman’s Club 7 p.m. every first Tuesday, September to May. RSVP to Andrea, (630) 852-2050. www.woodridgejuniors.com.

Questioning Youth Center Social group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning youth ages 16 to 20, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Naperville. For specific location, call (630) 415-2053.

Chorus of DuPage All-male barbershop chorus, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 815 S. Washington St., Naperville. Call Jerry Broz, (630) 964-3139.

Rotary Club of Lisle 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Lisle Hilton, 3003 Corporate West Drive. Contact gmiller@lislerotary.org.

Lisle Kiwanis Club 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Hilton Lisle-Naperville, 3003 Corporate W. Drive, Lisle. (630) 964-5282.

Wednesday morning golf league Gleneagles Country Club, 13070 McCarthy Road, Lemont. Senior men needed. If interested, call Bob Finkel, (630) 858-2058.

Naperville Networkers Business networking, 7:01 a.m. Thursdays, Big Apple Pancake House, 2799 Maple Ave., Lisle. Call Matt Ewald, (630) 678-1700.

Naperville Area Stamp Club 7:30 p.m. every first and third Thursday, Trinity Lutheran Church, 1101 Kimberly Way, Lisle. (630) 257-7430, philaburn@aol.com.

Christian Business Professionals of Bolingbrook Noon every first Thursday, Rancho Santa Fe, 195 Remington Blvd., Bolingbrook. (630) 441-1082, tkdombrow@comcast.net.

AT&T Telecom Pioneers-Forest Life Member Club Christmas lunch, 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, Alta Villa Banquets, 430 N. Addison Road, Addison. Chinese auction will be held. $18. Call Lori Kallas, (630) 629-1633.

630 Singles 9 p.m. every first Friday, Country Lakes, 1601 Fairway Drive, Naperville. (630) 585-4127, www.630singles.org.

Support groups

Nar-Anon Family Group Support for family and friends who are close to someone with an addiction problem, 7 p.m. Sundays, Linden Oaks Hospital, Room 105, 852 S. West St., Naperville. Call Terri, (630) 852-2941.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly Two chapters in Lemont: Chapter 0457, 6 p.m. weigh-in, 6:50 p.m. meeting Tuesdays, Bethany Lutheran Church, 508 Lemont St., (630) 257-8112; Chapter 2196, 8:15 a.m. weigh-in, 9 a.m. meeting Thursday, Lemont Park District, 16028 127th St., (630) 257-0252.

Overeaters Anonymous Noon Tuesdays, Evangelical Free Church, 1551 Hobson Road, Naperville. Call Peggy, (630) 369-1753.

Caregivers support group 7 p.m. every first Tuesday, Sunrise Assisted Living, 960 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. (800) 272-3900.

Married bi/gay men support 7 to 9 p.m. every first Tuesday, DuPage Unitarian Church of Naperville, 4S535 Old Naperville Road. Call Sheri, (630) 505-9408.

Teen-Parent Connection Support group for teens with or expecting children, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, DuPage Township Office, 241 Canterbury Lane, Bolingbrook. Contact Pam DiGioia, (630) 790-8433, Ext. 307; pamelad@teenparentconnection.org.

Adult Children of Alcoholics 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 1313 N. Mill St., Naperville. www.acoa-chicagoland.org, debbiem6@aol.com.

National Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders of Glen Ellyn Eating disorder support group, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, 751 Roosevelt Road, Building 7, Suite 115, Glen Ellyn. Bilingual services offered. For more information, call Dana Castellano, (312) 882-0494, www.anad.org.

New Beginnings Support group for divorced, separated and widowed, 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays, St. Raphel’s Catholic Church, 1215 Modaff Road, Naperville. www.newbeginnings-il.com.

Spouse loss support group 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Sunrise Assisted Living, 960 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Call Inger Erickson, (708) 234-2850.

Questioning women Questioning Youth Center social group specifically for women, 6:30 to 9 p.m. every first and third Wednesday. For specific location, call (630) 415-2053.

Lupus support group 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. every first Wednesday, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1411 95th St., Naperville. (630) 357-0369, www.reddicklupusfoundation.org.

Grief support program “Journey to Wholeness,” 10 to 11:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Edward Hospital Education Center, 801 S. Washington St., Naperville. (630) 527-5056.

Gam-Anon Gambling problem support group, 7 p.m. Thursdays, Trinity Lutheran Church, 1101 Kimberly Way, Lisle. (708) 802-0105, www.gam-anon.org.

Organ transplant support group 7 p.m. every first Friday, Good Samaritan Professional Building, 1020 E. Ogden Ave., Naperville. (630) 527-8640.

seminars/classes

Family to Family class NAMI DuPage, 12-week educational class, 7 p.m. starting Jan. 8, Knox Presbyterian Church, 1105 Catalpa Lane, Naperville. Register at (630) 752-0066.

Cake decorating school Wilton School of Cake Decorating, 7511 Lemont Road, Darien, offers 50 courses throughout the year. Fees range from $75 to $950. (630) 985-6077, www.school.wilton.com.

fundraisers

“Home Sweet Home” holiday fundraiser Dec. 4 to 6, Bickford Assisted Living and Memory Care, 3712 Grove Road, Oswego. Collecting Toys for Tots all week. Each day at 2 p.m. bingo tournaments. Three day bingo winner awarded a grand prize. Visit from Santa from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. (630) 554-8811.

“Glad Rags” presentation StageCoach Theatre Arts, Western Suburbs, 10:15 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Zion Lutheran School, 125 S. Vine St., Hinsdale. Students will perform “Glad Rags,” by Veronica Bennett. Admission is free. Attendees asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy or article of clothing for Toy Express charity. For more information, visit www.stagecoachschools.com.

special events

Friends of Little Friends Hometown Holidays Parade 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, Centennial Beach, Jackson Ave., Naperville. Route is east on Jackson Ave., north on Webster St. and west on Van Buren Ave. to Eagle St. Participants include staff and friends of the DuPage Senior Citizens Council.

Hypnotist and Mentalist performance Master hypnotist and mentalist Robinn Lange performs at 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at Omega Restaurant and Banquets, 4S40 Route 59, Naperville. Tickets are $25 and $20. For tickets, call (630) 836-9999.

Christmas toy train show Lionel Collectors Club of America, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave. Old and new trains for sale and trade. Santa Claus visit from 11 a.m. to noon. Large operating train layout. Refreshments available. $5 adults. Children under 10 are free with an adult. For more information, call (630) 369-8467.

Pro Bowl Weekend Giveaway Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce and the Retired Professional Football Players of Chicago, 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, Ashbury’s, 335 E. Boughton Road. Autograph session from 11 a.m. to noon. Limited edition official Retired Professional Players of Chicago t-shirts available for purchase. Activities include “Beat the Pro” on the indoor golf simulator; the Bears vs. Jacksonville on big screen television; and all-you-can-eat buffet for $10. Raffle tickets to enter the Pro Bowl drawing are $20. Winner will be drawn at Ashbury’s during the Bear’s game. Raffle tickets available by calling the Chamber of Commerce at (630) 226-8420.

Interest groups

Christmas decorations contest Forest City, owner of The Promenade Bolingbrook, sponsoring a competition seeking the best multi-media home holiday displays with lights syncopated to music. Grand prize is a weekend trip for two to downtown Chicago to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. Contest runs through Dec. 12 and winners will be announced on Dec. 22. Entries must be digitally-recorded images of the participant’s home light display uploaded to www.symphonyinlights.com. Judges will visit each home prior to judging. Visit www.symphonyinlights.com for contest rules and requirements.

Bowen High School 40th reunion Class of 1969, 6 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2009, Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, 350 N. Orleans St., Chicago. $110 per person, $195 per couple may be purchased by sending a check to Phyllis Volk, 250 E. Pearson St., Unit 906, Chicago, IL 60611, payable to Phyllis Volk and indicate Bowen Reunion in the memo section. For more information and “lost classmates” addresses, visit www.freewebs.com/bowen1969reunion, or call Brett Weiss at (630) 248-5405.

St. Eulalia Elementary School reunion Class of 1971. Plans being made. If interested in attending, call Noreen Collins Kuenster, (708) 442-2628.

Harper High School 50th reunion Class of January and June 1959. Plans being made for summer of 2009. If interested in attending, call Cliff Gustafson, (815) 372-9937.

Morton West High School 20th reunion Class of 1989. Plans being made. Looking for “lost classmates.” For more information or to register for the reunion, contact mortonwest89@gmail.com.

Downers Grove North High School 50th reunion Class of 1960. Plans being made for 2010. Send addresses to Rolfe Sick, 8003 Fairmont Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60516.